Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2021
188. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of providing an additional 331 domestic abuse refuge spaces to meet Ireland’s obligations under the Istanbul Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32479/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue, with overall policy coordinated by the Department of Justice. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV. Capital funding for approved housing bodies, including services that provide refuge accommodation, is currently provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) sets out signatory obligations but does not set out a standard or recommended number of refuges. With regard to the provision of shelter for victims, a policy document "Combating Violence Against Women: Minimum Standards for Support Services", published by the Council, references two possible standards depending on the types of service provision in place. Tusla has applied the standard of one shelter space per 10,000 head of female population, with specific mechanisms for measuring population and calculation of shelter spaces. This standard applied by Tusla, reflects the community-focused integrated response for victims, where community-based organisations and outreach supports are in place alongside refuges.
Tusla has previously advised this Department that the cost of maintaining a single refuge space is in the region of €100,000 annually. Accordingly, the provision of 331 additional spaces would require an additional €33.1 million on an annual basis. This would not include the initial capital costs for the development of these additional spaces.
With regard to emergency accommodation for victims of DSGBV, Tusla is undertaking a review of these services nationwide. This will assess the current and requisite distribution of safe emergency accommodation. The review's findings and the recommendations of the Monitoring Committee of the Second National Strategy on DSGBV will inform Tusla's future decisions on priority areas for investment and development of services. Tusla has advised me that this report will be finalised in the coming weeks.
